Goshen graduate is Wallkill's new AD

Friday

Aug 30, 2013 at 2:00 AM

In more than a decade in the business, Nick Pantaleone has coached basketball and cross country at S.S. Seward, and football, wrestling and track at Goshen. His passion was the game — and the student-athletes he coached. For him, the next step has always been the goal — serving as an athletic director.

JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

In more than a decade in the business, Nick Pantaleone has coached basketball and cross country at S.S. Seward, and football, wrestling and track at Goshen. His passion was the game — and the student-athletes he coached. For him, the next step has always been the goal — serving as an athletic director.

Pantaleone, a 1995 Goshen graduate, is Wallkill's new athletic director.

"You realize how much athletics shape kids' lives and how positive of an experience it is for them," Pantaleone said. "Especially here at Wallkill. The kids here are amazing and embody this tough-minded community. This is a great opportunity to me."

Pantaleone replaces Eric McLaud, who stepped down in June. A fixture in the athletic department for years as a coach and administrator, McLaud will teach business at the high school and coach cross country, Pantaleone said.

Pantaleone arrived at Wallkill last October as an assistant principal at the high school. He split duties as assistant principal and athletic director. Before Wallkill, Pantaleone spent the previous nine years as a history teacher in the S.S. Seward district in Florida.

"Nick is unbelievably enthusiastic," said Seward athletic director Rob Gravelle. "He's involved in so many things in the school and community. Nick will do a great job. I'm sure Wallkill knows they got a great person."